Benjamin Crook

Connection is an immersive experience celebrating the richness and diversity of Australian Indigenous art and culture.

As Artistic Director, I led a multidisciplinary team of museum designers and animators, working closely with curators and cultural advisors to shape the creative vision of the exhibition. I developed the offline edit and soundtrack, created key motion graphic sequences, and collaborated with the animation team to bring artworks, archival material, and landscape footage to life.

Presented at the National Gallery of Australia, The LUME Melbourne, and Newfields Indianapolis, Connection has been experienced by more than 700,000 visitors. The exhibition received widespread acclaim, earning Time Out's Best Exhibition (People's Choice) and the Critic's Choice Impact Award in Victoria in 2024.

Through a carefully curated collection of works by Australia's First Nations artists, the experience explored three themes deeply connected to Country: Land, Water, and Sky. These themes were brought together through a seamless integration of contemporary and historical artworks with cinematic footage of the landscapes they represent.

The visual journey was accompanied by a dynamic and emotional soundtrack featuring both traditional and contemporary music by First Nations musicians. Combined with immersive spatial audio, the sound design invited audiences to step inside the artworks and experience a deeper connection to Country. I also created original soundscapes and title sequences that helped frame the narrative of the exhibition.

Connection demonstrates how large-scale immersive storytelling can create new ways for audiences to engage with Indigenous art, culture, and knowledge, while remaining grounded in the voices and perspectives of First Nations communities.

As Artistic Director, I developed this motion graphic sequence for Connection, an immersive experience that explores Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural connections. The sequence visualises a script written by Rhoda Roberts AO, introducing audiences to the concept of Sky Country and its significance within First Nations cosmology.

To inform the creative development, I travelled to Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland with photographer and visual storyteller Wayne Quilliam. Together, we worked with the Wik Way people to record traditional songs, dances and cultural practices. These authentic recordings became an integral part of the immersive experience, woven throughout the narrative and soundscape, including within this opening sequence.

By combining contemporary motion design with traditional cultural expression, the work creates a powerful introduction that connects audiences to the living knowledge, stories and relationships embodied in Sky Country.

Street Art Alive is a dynamic multi-screen immersive experience that traces the evolution of street art and graffiti—from its roots in the early 1980s in New York to the global phenomenon it is today.

As Creative Director, I led the coordination of content from around the world, collaborating with local photographers and videographers to produce immersive visuals for each chapter and theme. I also worked with several archival institutions to acquire important historical footage. Based in Melbourne, I led a film crew to shoot and produce the content that formed the Melbourne chapter. I developed motion graphic sequences in a variety of 2D and 3D styles with a team of animators to communicate the various themes and locations of the artworks.

The exhibition highlights five iconic cities—New York, London, Berlin, São Paulo, and Melbourne—each representing a pivotal chapter in the history of street art. It also explores key themes such as Vibrancy, Fight for Your Right, Rejuvenation, and A Fresh Take on History.

Hundreds of stunning animated artworks, paired with supporting footage, laid the groundwork for this unforgettable visual journey. A carefully curated soundtrack and sound design, drawn from each location and era, enhanced the immersive experience, evoking the spirit of the time and place.

Premiering at Magic Box in Los Angeles in April 2022, Street Art Alive received widespread attention, with features on NBC, ABC, and CBS.

This groundbreaking 360° live-action documentary takes viewers on an exhilarating 3D journey across Australia, from the sacred landscapes of Uluru to the iconic Sydney Harbour.

As the film’s editor, I shaped this homage to First Nations song and dance by crafting a compelling narrative arc guided by the dynamics of the music and dance. I developed immersive sound design to seamlessly connect each chapter, enhancing the audience’s emotional engagement and the overall storytelling experience.

Narrated by the legendary award-winning actor and dancer David Gulpilil, Carriberrie transports audiences across a breathtaking array of iconic locations and performances, spanning the spectrum from traditional ceremonies to contemporary expressions of culture.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s NEXT Hub before being showcased at the Australian Museum in Sydney and the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Carriberrie has received widespread acclaim, winning numerous prestigious awards, including:

2019 B&T Awards – Best Use of VR

2019 AWARD Award – Interactive Long Form Film

2019 One Show – Digital Experiential & Immersive

2019 New York Festivals – Film

2019 New York Festivals – Film Craft

2019 New York Festivals – Positive World Impact

2019 MADC – Best in Film

2019 Good Design Award

2019 Melbourne Design Awards

With its innovative storytelling and celebration of First Nations culture, Carriberrie continues to leave a profound impact on audiences around the world.

This immersive experience brings the rich diversity of UK wildlife to life, showcasing species from the coastlines, mountains, grasslands, and woodlands. Located in Chester, the UK’s second-largest attraction with approximately 2 million annual visitors, Chester Zoo offers a unique platform to connect audiences with the natural world.

Collaborating closely with the director, I transformed raw footage from nature documentary filmmakers into a cohesive, multi-screen narrative tailored specifically for the zoo’s immersive format. Together, we crafted compelling storylines that highlighted each species and their habitats, bringing their unique stories to life.

In addition to structuring the narrative, I designed an evocative soundscape and soundtrack to complement each scene, amplifying the emotional connection between the audience and the wildlife. I also composed the main introductory theme, setting the tone for this unforgettable journey into the heart of the UK’s natural beauty.

Dali Alive celebrates the life and creative brilliance of Salvador Dalí, one of the most influential and inventive artists of the modern era. This immersive experience premiered at The Lume in Denver before captivating audiences at Newfields in Indianapolis, SXSW, and the 360° dome at The Dalí Museum in Florida.

Collaborating closely with Creative Director Andrew Montague, sound designer Des O’Neill, and The Dalí Museum, I played a pivotal role in shaping the auditory landscape of this groundbreaking exhibition. Leading the development of the soundtrack and sound design, I crafted a dynamic and emotive audio journey that mirrored the surrealism and complexity of Dalí’s life and art.

Beyond the primary soundtrack, I designed immersive soundscapes for interactive spatial elements, including the Lobster Phone interactive exhibit, the atmospheric entrance tunnel and the mirror room. These audio components deepened the experience, drawing visitors further into Dalí’s eccentric and visionary world.

Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius combines immersive storytelling with historical artefacts, offering visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the mind of one of history’s greatest visionaries.

Working closely with Creative Directors Andrew Montague and Josh Cameron, I developed the soundtrack and offline edit for this groundbreaking exhibition, crafting a narrative that reimagines the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci for contemporary audiences.

The soundtrack spans centuries, seamlessly blending compositions from the late 1400s with modern music to connect da Vinci’s timeless genius to the present day. Inspired by the drama and passion of Italian opera, the music reflects his extraordinary journey through Italy and France, capturing the essence of his profound contributions as a Renaissance polymath.

The exhibition also showcased an impressive collection of interactive physical models, meticulously built from da Vinci’s designs and sketches, alongside original codices on loan from the Vatican. This fusion of innovation and history provided an immersive and deeply engaging experience for visitors.

Bennelong, a dance theatre production by Bangarra, was originally captured in 360° using Jaunt One and RED cinema cameras. We transformed this footage into an immersive story in collaboration with theatre director Stephen Page. The resulting featurette was showcased at The Lume Melbourne, complementing the Connection experience, which ran for 10 months.